WATERBURY — The departing year had one more surprise in store for the Post University men's basketball team Sunday. The Eagles ended the calendar year with a heart-stopping double overtime loss to Northeast-10 opponent, AIC, 96-94 at the Drubner Center.

In a back and forth game where questionable foul calls, big time clutch shots and turnovers were prevalent themes, it was the Yellow Jackets (5-5) who emerged victorious.

Post (9-4 overall, 5-1 in CACC) suffered its fourth loss of the season to the team that played its first game of the year on the Storrs campus against the Huskies. Jerry Cummings and Zach Krischer combined for 57 out of 94 points for the Eagles in the losing effort.

"We made crucial turnovers that led to points for them," said junior forward Cummings. "We need to learn to take care of the ball and execute in late game situations."

Despite having 32 turnovers in the game, AIC controlled the lead almost all of regulation, with the score swelling to as much as a 15 point difference.

"We crept our way back in," said Post coach Al Sokaitis. "Zach (Krischner) hit a few big shots to keep us in it."

The Yellow Jackets shot 67-percent from the field and out-rebounded the Eagles, 18-9, in the first half, yet still only went into the break with a nine point advantage over the home team.

"We needed to settle down. We haven't been behind in many games this season," said Sokaitis. "The score shouldn't affect the right way of playing."

It was the vicious full-court defense by the Eagles in the 2nd half that put the Yellow Jackets on their heels. Post scored 36 points off turnovers, 26 of which came after the first half.

"We thought our bench was deeper, so we wanted to play the game at a high pace," said the Post coach.

As the final seconds of regulation ticked down, Cummings hit a jumper at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. When asked about the shot, Cummings said, "I've been working on a step-back jumper, so I knew I was going to do it once I got it."

It was, however, the relentless play of AIC guards Spencer Braithwaite and Ricky Hudson that brought the Yellow Jackets back in the game. The two combined for 44 points, which included five quick, late points in the first overtime to tie the score and earn a second extra period.

"We had the game lost, and then we tied it. Then we had the game won, and they tied it," said Sokaitis.

The second overtime was where the Yellow Jackets got the lead for good and held off the Eagles in the final moments of the game.

At the end of the game, AIC had a plus 10 advantage in the rebounding column and had shot 63-percent from the field as a team, making up for their high turnover mark.

"Games like these come down to decision-making on both ends," said Sokaitis. "Players need to learn to maintain their calm. The more you're in these games, the better decisions you make."

Though the year ends with a tough loss at home, everything about the Eagles' play suggests they are a team to be reckoned with in the CACC North Division.

Post basketball will play a men's and women's doubleheader on Thursday at 6, hosting Bloomfield College for both games.

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